How to forget an M3 CSL? Hello GT3 RS!
As I'm sure many here know, I've been eyeing GT3's since they were first presented in 1999. Even on paper it seemed to offer me exactly what I was looking for, Porsche heritage, pared back and spiced up with real Motorsport-pedigree. What's not to love, I thought.
That feeling never changed throughout the generations of GT3 (RS) that came along. I had some real favorites (996 RS, 997 4.0), but none of the other iterations let me down either. It was clear it was the absolute pinnacle for me.
My last stop before GT3-ownership, was the CSL, which appeared to be an absolutely fabulous driving experience. Even now after having enjoyed my own GT3 RS, I stand by that opinion. It was BMW at its very best, offering a very different driving experience to Porsche at its absolute best. In my opinion, having both is a real blessing as their dynamics absolutely complement eachother. More on that later.
After having decided, the time was right to take the jump to GT3 ownership, I decided on the 997.1 RS, I've briefly considered the 997.2 GT3, but the broad hips of the RS are too much for me to resist. Ideally, I've considered a 3.8 RS, but looks and price made me decide on the more cohesive (imo) 997.1 RS.
The first example I'd seen appeared to be the right one for me, as I like my cars a bit pared-back and raw:
- Orange
- 15k km
- No airco
- PCCB (now on 380mm Cup-discs)
- Full-cage
- Cup-splitter
- Cup-bypass
- O.Z-wheels on Trofeo R + OEM-wheels on Michelin PSS
Last Friday, it was collection time at long last. The idea was to pick up my RS together with my friend and colleague and fellow RT-member Bacchus, and drop him off at PZ Maienfeld to pick-up his very own RS. Crazy with excitement despite hardly having slept all week, we took off in my orange RS. First impression is one of extreme solidity, the clutch pedal is hard, the gearbox mechanical and precise. Second impression, after the car had the time to warm its fluids "crap, it's going wrong already", such was the chuntering and rattling noise at idle and coasting.
Being my first time in an RS, I had no clue it was the single-mass flywheel making itself heard. Luckily, upon arrival at PZ Maienfeld, the mechanic confirmed it was nothing to be concerned off. As soon as Bacchus took off in his green RS, it indeed appeared to chunter and rattle in the exact same way.
After having picked up both RS's, we would acquaint ourselves with them on French soil, heading to the Vosges-region, which is home to some fabulous driving roads. Arriving in Les Vosges, the promise was met, fabulous deserted driving roads, being there at that time in my own GT3 RS, it felt 'pinch me'-hard to believe.
The first thing that gets you in a GT3 is the engine, the noise, the reach, the specific noise it makes shifting up from 2 to 3, 3 to 4. The stuff of Porsche-dreams. The second thing, as an M3 CSL driver, are its dynamics. I tend to enjoy a tail-led balance when driving, accelerating early and provoking the tail out. The RS doesn't play in the same way, in fact not once did I manage to unstick its 325-section rears, such is the grip on offer. Unlike the CSL, it does serve up some understeer if you're being inconsiderate of the car's balance. Trail-braking into turns resolved this handling-trait, and appeared to put the car on tip-toes, getting alive and subtly even getting the back into play.
It's more difficult to get your enjoyment from, to get it to work with you, but when you do, you get real satisfaction from getting it right, as it's a much harder, more physical car to drive in a spirited manner. Braking into the corner, heel-and-toeing your way down the gears, getting the front to bite, and then -very- early on the throttle, it's a thing to behold, one of the true motoring experiences. That said, I'll still enjoy the way my CSL handles things, tail-out, playful balance, hyper-alert. It's different, but brilliant in its own right. They complement eachother perfectly.
After an extensive drive on the Vosges road, we headed north to Belgium to visit friends and family, and with that, got to experience the GT3 RS's on the autobahn. Despite its hardcore nature, I considered it to be perfectly habitable to cover large distances in, the brilliant suspension is firm but not uncomfortable at all. Engine noise is OK, as mine has its valves permanently open (bypass pipes are not fitted at this time), it did serve up some drone, but all things considered it is much, much more comfortable than my CSL.
I'm sure I'll get to know so much more characteristics in the time to come, it's not a car you get the best from immediately, it seems to take time to get to learn how to drive it, and that's what I truly appreciate from it. If I have to note one downside, it would be that the 3.6 lacks some low-down torque vs. the 3.8, but that's hardly a surprise. It compensates with a truly visceral top-end.
Tucked up in its garage now, it's hard to believe this dream has come true, I can't wait until the next drive.
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2003 BMW M3 CSL / 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RS / 2013 MINI John Cooper Works GP / 2014 BMW Alpina D3 biturbo Touring
Can't wait to meet up at the natural playground for this baby 
I am very interested to hear how the "conversion" from the M3CSL driving dynamics towards the rear engine car works for you. I am sure you'll love it.
: Porsche 997 GT3 Arctic/Black
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